KINGSTON, Jamaica — Crime Stop Jamaica is reporting a 25 per cent increase in tips in 2018 when compared to 2017, with a total of $8,287,500 being paid out to informants.

According to a report released this afternoon from the crime fighting initiative of the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica, a breakdown of the tips received showed that in 2018 it received 1,144 tips, compared to 912 in 2017.

Furthermore, the Crime Stop success rate improved to one-in-seven in 2018 (one success for every seven first calls received), compared to a one-in-eight success rate in 2017, the report said.

Tips received included breaches of the Immigration Act, breaches of the Excise Duty Act, illegal entry and illegal sales of petrol.

Majority of tips received were regarding illegal firearms (319), followed by gunmen (219) and wanted persons (87), the report said.

There was a total of 102 arrests in 2018, an increase of 67 per cent, compared to 61 arrests made in 2017.

The organisation said that arrests varied from lottery scamming to shooting with intent with arrests for illegal possession of drugs and murder totalling 16 and 13 respectively.

In addition, over $39,713,990 worth of drugs was seized and destroyed, Crime Stop reported.